Planned subdivision with 106 condos closer to reality after City Council meeting

QUINCY — One planned subdivision by Hildebrand Construction in the northeast area of the city cleared one hurdle during Monday night’s meeting of the Quincy City Council. Another planned subdivision, however, must wait until next week to receive approval.

The Plan Commission recently recommended approval of the subdivision of property at 5010-5019 College into nine lots under the small tracts provision of the subdivision ordinance. Aldermen then voted to approve the recommendation and have an ordinance drafted. Hildebrand Construction is the contractor.

The Plan Commission also recommended approval of the subdivision of property at 5100 Chestnut into eight lots under the same provision, albeit with compliance with the following city codes:

• Any area of development containing more than 100 households must be served by two functioning points of access.
• Fire apparatus access roads must be provided for every building per the International Fire Code. 
• Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet in length must be provided in either a 96-foot diameter cul-de-sac, an 80-foot diameter cul-de-sac with no parking or a 120-foot hammerhead 
• The Department of Engineering & Utilities must approve the drainage plan for the subdivision 
• The lot at 5100 Chestnut be annexed into the city before the extension of the city’s water/sewer system.

Aldermen tabled that recommendation for a week. Chuck Bevelheimer, director of planning, explained to aldermen that for the city to allow this type of development, city code dictates the development must have public water and sewer extended to the area. An impact analysis also must be provided to aldermen. Bevelheimer said he would have that at next week’s meeting.

He said the developer must pay for the extension of utilities as well as the streets. 

“The cost is going to be minimal,” he said. “The benefits are far exceeding to the city, with the number of units in terms of what the property taxes are going to be paid and for the water and sewer connection fees they’re going to pay. They’re going to build the street, and they have to dedicate it to the city. They’re going install the water and sewer and dedicate that to the city.”

Several property owners in the neighborhood near the planned expansion attended Monday’s meeting. They also met on Monday with Jeff Wilson with Tom Stupavsky Construction.

“We actually met with them the first time after the (Plan Commission) meeting, and we met outside and talked with them for about an hour,” he said after Monday’s City Council meeting. “Then they called me today and told me they were having a special meeting and asked if there was a possibility that I could answer some questions for them. I said, ‘How about I just come out?’

“So I went out and met with them for about an hour and a half. I think we answered their questions, and I think they understand we’re here for them, not just for ourselves.”

Wilson also spoke to aldermen during the public forum portion of the meeting.

“I do want to let everybody know that we are not building low-end housing,” he said. “We’re going to build high-end units. We’re going to build condos, not sheds. … We are trying to make sure we walk through this with (the neighbors), meet all their requirements and do what they want to try work through this.”

Cathy Tate spoke after the meeting on behalf of many of the neighbors. She said not all of the group’s concerns have been alleviated.

“But we do feel better about it, and we feel like he’s on our side,” Tate said. “As long as we can believe everything that has been said, we’re OK. He says they will maintain the property and that (residents) would be kicked out if they didn’t.

“Am I OK with 106 condos being built? No, but I might not live long enough to see all 106.”